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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0International Journal of Mental Health Nursing

Administration of Pro Re Nata Medication: A Retrospective Quantitative Study in Mental Health Acute Care Inpatient Units

  • Julia K. Pilowsky1,2
  • Suzanne Glover3
  • Lurendharen Reddy3
  • Rosalind Elliott4,5,6
  • Alice Lance3
  • Jo River1,5,7
7 affiliations
  1. 1School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Sydney Camperdown New South Wales Australia
  2. 2Intensive Care NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation St Leonards New South Wales Australia
  3. 3Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Services Macquarie Hospital North Ryde New South Wales Australia
  4. 4Intensive Care Unit Royal North Shore Hospital St Leonards New South Wales Australia
  5. 5Faculty of Health University of Technology Sydney Ultimo New South Wales Australia
  6. 6School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Sydney Camperdown New South Wales Australia
  7. 7College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Newcastle New South Wales Australia
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Abstract

Pro re nata medication use in inpatient mental health services is frequent and may not be as effective as regularly administered medications. Previous studies usually only include specific pro re nata medication types, such as antipsychotics or sedatives, which account for a relatively small proportion of all pro re nata medications. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the frequency of pro re nata medication administrations, including the types of medications used. A retrospective cohort study across three acute adult inpatient mental health units was conducted. Medication data were extracted from the clinical information system and linked to clinical coding data. Pro re nata medications were administered in 83% of hospital admissions (n = 2011). The most frequently administered medication categories were benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, analgesics and anti‐inflammatories. There was more frequent administration of pro re nata to younger consumers and when regular medication was also administered. This study found that pro re nata medication administration is common in inpatient mental health units and is influenced by multiple factors, including consumer age and medication type. Routine use of pro re nata medication, alongside regular medication, may lead to unsafe combined doses, and indicate untreated mental and physical symptoms.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{pilowsky2026administration,
  title = {{Administration of Pro Re Nata Medication: A Retrospective Quantitative Study in Mental Health Acute Care Inpatient Units}},
  author = {Julia K. Pilowsky and Suzanne Glover and Lurendharen Reddy and Rosalind Elliott and Alice Lance and Jo River},
  journal = {International Journal of Mental Health Nursing},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1111/inm.70388},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70388},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Administration of Pro Re Nata Medication: A Retrospective Quantitative Study in Mental Health Acute Care Inpatient Units
AU  - Julia K. Pilowsky
AU  - Suzanne Glover
AU  - Lurendharen Reddy
AU  - Rosalind Elliott
AU  - Alice Lance
AU  - Jo River
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/05
JO  - International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
DO  - 10.1111/inm.70388
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70388
AB  - Pro re nata medication use in inpatient mental health services is frequent and may not be as effective as regularly administered medications. Previous studies usually only include specific pro re nata medication types, such as antipsychotics or sedatives, which account for a relatively small proportion of all pro re nata medications. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the frequency of pro re nata medication administrations, including the types of medications used. A retrospective cohort study across three acute adult inpatient mental health units was conducted. Medication data were extracted from the clinical information system and linked to clinical coding data. Pro re nata medications were administered in 83% of hospital admissions (n = 2011). The most frequently administered medication categories were benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, analgesics and anti‐inflammatories. There was more frequent administration of pro re nata to younger consumers and when regular medication was also administered. This study found that pro re nata medication administration is common in inpatient mental health units and is influenced by multiple factors, including consumer age and medication type. Routine use of pro re nata medication, alongside regular medication, may lead to unsafe combined doses, and indicate untreated mental and physical symptoms.
SN  - 1445-8330
SN  - 1447-0349
ER  -